Clamp for electrical cables



Dec. 3l, 1929. J, ZlLLlQX l 1,741,804

CLAMPv FOR ELEGTRCAL ,CABLES Filed June 2, 1928 T z T* ummm ummm lKlllml l Patented Dec. 31, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN ZILLIOX, O F ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK, ASS'IGNOR TOPARK METALWABE CO. INC., OF ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK CLAMP ron. ELECTRICAL enanas Application led une a,

This invention rela-tes to a clamp which is more particularly designed for coupling two cables forming part of an electric current conductor, but which may also be used for other purposes.

It is the object of this invention to provide a clamp for this purpose which engages with said cables over a wide area and thus forms a good electrical connection between the same, which is strong and durable and not liable to get out of order, which can be conveniently and quickly applied to the cables, and which will automatically adjust itself to variationsv in temperature and still maintain a good connection between the cables.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the clampv embodying my improvements and showing the same applied to two cables for connecting the same.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same, taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross section, taken on line 4.-4 of Fig. 3.

In the acters of reference indicate like parts in the several figures of the drawings Although this clamp may be used for securing one or more cables, rods or lines of various kinds and for different purposes the same, as an example of one of its uses, is shown in the drawings for connecting two cables 1 and 2 which form part of an -electric conductor.

The clamp comprises a casing 3 which is preferably made of copper in U-shape, the walls 4, 4 of which are upright and parallel and'connected at their lower ends by a curved seat 5 and the upper ends of which are provided with laterally projecting longitudinal inclined hooks 6, 6 which diverge downwardly. y

One of the cables is placed in the casing so as to rest on the seat 5 at the bottom thereof and the other cable is placed in the casing following description similar char-- 192s. serial No. 282,286.

block 8 arranged in the upper part of the casing. r'

Extending across the mouth or open endat the top of the casing is a cross piece 9 which is detachably connected with the casing. This cross-piece is preferably equal in length to the casing and provided on its opposite lateral sides with longitudinal flanges 10, the lower edges of which are provided with inwardly and upwardly projecting inclined hooks 11, 11 which converge upwardly.

The hooks of the cross-piece engage under the hooks of the casing and upon drawing the cross-piece upwardly the same is thereby not only coupled with the casing, but the wedging engagement of the cooperating inclined hooks on these members prevents the cross-piece from pulling off from the casing whensubjecting the cross-piece to a strong upward pull.

lThis upward pull on the cross-piece is preferably obtained by one or more clamping screws 12, three being shown in .the present case, which screws are arranged vertically in threaded Aopenings in the central part of the cross-piece and bear at their lower ends against the top of the presser block.

After the cables and blocks have been placed in the casing the cross-piece is said lengthwise with its hooks along the hooks of the casing for assembling these members and then the screws 12 aretightened by means of a wrench inserted in sockets 13 formed in the upper ends thereof. Loosening` of these clamping screws after tightening is prevented by means of jamb nuts 14 applied to these screws and engaging with the top of the crosspece. On its underside the cross-piece is provided with a longitudinal tongue or rib 1-5 which projects downwardly between the upaets as a core, whereby upon drawing upwardly on the cross-piece the upper edges of the casing walls are prevented from springing inwardly under the pull on the cooperating hooks of the casing and cross-piece, thereby enabling a heavy pressure to be brought against the cables for producing a reliable electric connection therebetween without livper free edges of the easing walls and thus 'i signature.

i ]ects when being handled.

l, abilit of the casing and cross-piece being l pulle apart.

When the arts are thus assembled a connection is e ected between the cables which engages therewith over a wide area thereby insuring good conductivityr of an electric current over these cables.

Moreover this coupling is simple and comact and not liable to interfere with other ob- It is also very strong and durable and capable of withstanding the severest strain to which the same may be subjected While in use.

The side walls of the casing are each provided With one or more longitudinal corrugations or crimps 16 whereby the same are rendered resilient and enable the casing to automatically expand and contract due to changes in temperature without liability of the clamp becoming loose and reducing the effectiveness of the connection between the cables.

I claim as my invention A clamp for cables and the like, comprising a U-shaped casing adapted to receive a cable; and means for holding said cable in said casing including a crosspiece extending across the mouth of said casing; downwardly diverging hooks arranged externally on the upper edges of the casing; laterally projecting flanges arranged on opposite sides ofthe cross-piece and having upwardly converging hooks engaging under the hooks of the casing; and a clamping screw mounted 0n the cross-piece and adapted to press against the y cable 1n the casing and to draw the hooks of the casing and cross-piece together, the side walls of said-casing being provided with longitudinal corrugations, and said cross-piece ing provided on its under-side with a tongue, which is arranged between the upper free ends of the walls of said casing.

In testimony whereof I hereby aiiix my JOHN ziLLIox 

